Disposable package with break opening

ABSTRACT

A disposable package with break opening for dispensing a liquid, dense or semi-dense product, has a semi-rigid film and a flexible film forming a volume for containing the liquid, dense or semi-dense product. The semi-rigid film has at least one layer of an admixed material. The admixed material has a base polymer selected from the group consisting of polypropylene and polyethylene and an additive selected from the group consisting cyclic olefin copolymers, a mineral filler, and a nucleating agent. The flexible film has at least one layer including the base polymer, so that the disposable package is monomaterial.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of disposable packages with break opening for dispensing a liquid, dense or semi-dense product.

These packages generally have a flat, rectangular shape and are of limited size, such as to fit in one hand. Normally, they consist of a semi-rigid film and a flexible film applied to an inner face of the semi-rigid film, so as to form a volume for containing the product.

On the outer face, the semi-rigid film typically has one or more notches from which, when the semi-rigid film is bent, a fracture is triggered which locally breaks the semi-rigid film, allowing the product contained in the volume to outflow.

BACKGROUND ART

Several solutions of disposable packages with break opening of the type mentioned above are known. Some solutions are illustrated, for example, in the documents U.S. Pat. No. 7,121,409, WO2008038074, EP2170727, WO2009040629, EP2055474, WO2010123581, U.S. Pat. No. 8,662,349, EP2766277, EP2628691, EP2928789, EP3019415, EP2944579, WO2015166453, EP3145836, KR20160039388, KR101597150, KR101772884, US20170283145, U.S. Ser. No. 10/370,154, WO2018130984, KR200489112, WO2019106555, WO2019138435, WO2019142143 and WO2019142144.

These packages are particularly appreciated for the ease of use thereof and are rapidly spreading in various application fields, for example for dispensing food condiments, personal care products, medical products, and the like.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

Manufacturing companies and consumers are now particularly attentive to the environmental impact of consumer products. Packages of the type mentioned above receive the same attention, given the wide diffusion and the need for the packages to be properly disposed of after use.

Since the two films composing the package have very different functions (a semi-rigid film acts as a support and must undergo localized fracture following bending, the other flexible film has a containing function and must not undergo breakage as a result of the bending of the semi-rigid film to which it is applied), the materials used are different and this does not allow immediate disposal.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a disposable package with break opening which meets the field needs and overcomes the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the background art.

Such an object is achieved by a disposable package with break opening according to claim 1. The dependent claims identify further advantageous embodiments of the invention.

NON In particular, such an object is achieved by a disposable package with break opening for dispensing a liquid, dense or semi-dense product, consisting of a semi-rigid film, having an inner face and an opposite outer face, and a flexible film sealingly applied to the inner face of the semi-rigid film so as to create a volume for containing the product, in which the semi-rigid film comprises at least one layer of an admixed material, in which:

-   -   said admixed material comprises a base polymer and an additive,         in which the base polymer is selected from the group comprising         polypropylene and polyethylene and the additive is selected from         the group comprising COCs (Cyclic-Olefin-Copolymers), a mineral         filler such as talc and/or calcium carbonate, a nucleating         agent;     -   the flexible film comprises at least one layer comprising said         base polymer, so that the package is monomaterial.

The features and advantages of the disposable package with break opening according to the present invention will become apparent from the description given below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a disposable package with break opening, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the package in FIG. 1, from a further observation point.

FIGS. 3 to 7 diagrammatically show the structure with layers of semi-rigid film of the package, each in a bent configuration, according to different embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the accompanying drawings, numeral 1 indicates, as a whole, a disposable package with break opening according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The package 1 comprises a semi-rigid film 2, having an inner face 4 and an opposite outer face 6, and a flexible film 8 applied to the inner face 4 of the semi-rigid film 2, so as to create a volume 10 for containing a liquid, dense or semi-dense product to dispense.

Along the perimeter edge 8 a-8 d thereof, the flexible film 8 is sealingly applied to the semi-rigid film 2, for example by welding, so that the volume 10 is sealingly closed to contain the product.

On the outer face 6, the semi-rigid film 2 preferably has a weakening line 12, consisting for example of a notch having a predefined depth, from which a local fracture is triggered by bending P the semi-rigid film 2, which allows the outflow of the product contained in the volume 10.

According to an alternative embodiment, there is no weakening line present on the outer face 6 of the semi-rigid film 2.

The package 1 is substantially monomaterial, such a term meaning that at least 80% by weight of the package is made from the same base polymeric material.

Such a feature allows an immediate disposal of the package after use, as it consists of a single base material.

Furthermore, the materials and the dimensions of the layers of the package are selected so that the package has a relative density <1, so as to be floating. Such a feature allows, during waste disposal processes, to separate these packages by floating in water.

According to an embodiment, the flexible film 8 is a coextruded or laminated film, consisting of one or more layers of PE (Polyethylene), possibly interspersed with barrier layers of EVOH (Ethylene-Vinyl-Alcohol) or SiOx (Silicon oxides) or AlOx (aluminum oxides), in which the inner layer is weldable to the inner face 4 of the semi-rigid film 1 and for example made of a polyethylene layer.

According to a further embodiment, the flexible film 8 is a coextruded or laminated film, consisting of one or more layers of PP (Polypropylene), possibly interspersed with barrier layers of EVOH or SiOx or AlOx, in which the inner layer is weldable to the inner face 4 of the semi-rigid film 1 and for example made of a polypropylene layer.

Example 1

According to a first embodiment of the invention (FIG. 3, Table 1), the semi-rigid film 1 is coextruded, substantially made of polypropylene and comprises three layers: a first inner layer 2 i, bearing the inner face 4 and intended to come into contact with the product, an intermediate layer 2 m and a first outer layer 2 e, bearing the outer face 6 and intended to receive any weakening line.

The first inner layer 2 i is made of PP or comprises two sub-layers of PP interspersed with a barrier sub-layer of EVOH or PVOH (Poly-Vinyl-Alcohol); the intermediate layer 2 m is made of PP; the first outer layer 2 e is made of PP with the addition of a functional additive adapted to increase the rigidity of the material.

Said functional additive is selected from the group comprising COCs (Cyclic-Olefin-Copolimers) or other mineral filler, such as talc and/or calcium carbonate, or other nucleating agents.

The composition of the first outer layer 2 e makes the PP more rigid and the poor ability to stretch facilitates the fracture on the outer face 6 of the semi-rigid film 1.

According to such an embodiment, the thickness of the semi-rigid film 1 is about 350 microns.

TABLE 1 Layer Composition Thickness % PP % talc % COC Inner PP or PP/OH/PP 70 100 0 0 Intermediate PP 210 77 0 0 Outer PP + additive 70 from 95 0 From 5 to 50 to 50

According to such an embodiment, bending the semi-rigid film from the opposite side to the outer face, i.e., making the inner face convex, generating a tensional state of traction, no fracture will be obtained, neither on the outer face, which remains concave and does not undergo traction, nor on the inner face, where the inner layer 2 i is sufficiently flexible so as not to break.

Example 2

According to a further embodiment (FIG. 3, Table 2) of a semi-rigid film 2, the structure and composition are substantially identical to those described for Example 1, except for the inner layer, made of admixed PP.

TABLE 2 Layer Composition Thickness % PP % talc % COC Inner PP + additive 70 from 95 0 from 5 to 50 to 50 Intermediate PP 210 77 0 0 Outer PP + additive 70 from 95 0 from 5 to 50 to 50

According to such an embodiment, by bending the semi-rigid film in one direction or the other, a fracture is obtained on the outer face or on the inner face, according to the bending direction, which causes one or the other face to take a convex shape.

Example 3

According to a further embodiment (FIG. 4, Table 3), the semi-rigid film 2 is a laminate and comprises, from the inner face 4 towards the outer face 6, a first inner layer 2 i bearing the inner face 4, a second inner layer 2 ii, an intermediate layer 2 m, a second outer layer 2 ee and a first outer layer 2 e.

The first inner layer 2 i is of PP; the second inner layer 2 ii is in admixed PP; the intermediate layer 2 m is of PP or is a barrier layer comprising a first sub-layer of PP, an intermediate layer of EVOH or PVOH or other barrier material compatible with PP, and a second sub-layer of PP; the second outer layer is of PP or comprises a first sub-layer of PP, a barrier layer of EVOH or PVOH or other barrier compatible with PP or an adhesive, and a second sub-layer of PP; the first outer layer 2 e is of PP or comprises a first sub-layer of PP, a barrier layer of EVOH or PVOH or other barrier compatible with PP, and a second sub-layer of PP.

According to such an embodiment, the total thickness of the semi-rigid film is 410 microns.

TABLE 3 % PP % COC Layer Composition Thickness homopolymer % EVOH 5013 1st inner PP 70 20 0 0 2nd inner PP + 210 From 50 0 from 50 additive to 95 to 5 Intermediate PP 70 50 0 0 2nd outer Extruded PP 10 or adhesive 1st outer PP/OH/PP 50 0

In such a case, the fracturable layer, which generates the fracture by bending, is the second inner layer 2 ii, in admixed PP.

To facilitate the fracture, the sum of the thicknesses of the non-admixed layers external to the admixed layer should be equal to or less than half the sum of the thicknesses of the admixed layer and internal thereto. In other words, according to the example in FIG. 4:

t _(2m) +t _(2ee) +t _(2e)≤½(t _(2ii) +t _(2i))

where tx is the thickness of the layer X.

Advantageously, in such an embodiment, the weakening line obtained on the outer face 6 preferably has a depth such as not to damage the barrier layer (second outer layer 2 ee or first outer layer 2 e), thus preserving the integrity thereof.

Example 4

According to a further embodiment (FIG. 5, Table 4), the semi-rigid film 2 is coextruded in several layers, typically 7.

The semi-rigid film 2 comprises, from the inner face towards the outer face 6, a first inner layer 2 i bearing the inner face 4, a second inner layer 2 ii, an inner binding layer 21 i, a barrier layer 2 o, an outer binding layer 21 e, a second outer layer 2 ee and a first outer layer 2 e.

According to such an example, the first inner layer 2 i is of PP, the second inner layer 2 ii is in admixed PP; the inner binder layer 21 i is a binder or adhesive; the barrier layer 2 o is of EVOH or PVOH, the outer binder layer 21 e is a binder or adhesive; the second outer layer 2 ee is in admixed PP; the first outer layer 2 e is of PP.

According to such an embodiment, the semi-rigid film has a thickness of 350 microns.

TABLE 4 % PP % COC Layer Composition Thickness homopolymer % EVOH 5013 1st inner PP 64 100 0 0 2nd inner PP + 98 From 50 0 from 50 additive to 95 to 5 Inner binder 10 50 0 barrier EVOH 6 0 100 0 Outer binder 10 50 0 2nd outer PP + 98 From 50 0 from 50 additive to 95 to 5 1st outer PP 64 100 0 0

In such an embodiment, the fragile layers, which undergo breakage by bending, are the second inner layer 2 ii and the second outer layer 2 ee, which undergo breakage alternately, according to the bending direction.

For the distribution of the thicknesses, if the opening is to occur on the second outer layer, the formula shown above is followed:

t _(2ee)≤½(t _(2i) +t _(2ii) +t _(21i) +t _(2o) +t _(21e) +t _(2e))

Similarly, if the opening is to occur on the second inner layer, the formula below is followed:

t _(2ii)≤½(t _(2e) +t _(2ee) +t _(21e) +t _(2o) +t _(21i) +t _(2i))

Example 5

According to a further embodiment (FIG. 6, Table 5), the semi-rigid bottom 2 is made by coupling several semi-rigid bottoms, each of the latter formed as described in the previous examples.

For example, according to an embodiment, a semi-rigid bottom 2 comprises, from the inner face 4 towards the outer face 6, a first inner layer 2 i bearing the inner face 4, a second inner layer 2 ii, a third inner layer 2 iii, an inner binder layer 21 i, a barrier layer 2 o, an outer binder layer 21 e, a third outer layer 2 eee, a second outer layer 2 ee and a first outer layer 2 e bearing the outer face 6.

The second inner layer 2 ii is in admixed polypropylene; the second outer layer 2 ee is in admixed polypropylene. The barrier layer 2 o is of EVOH or OPP/AlOx or OPP/SiOx or OPP/EVOH (OPP=Oriented Polypropylene).

TABLE 5 Layer Composition Thickness % PP % COC 1st Inner PP 26 100 0 2nd inner PP + additive 123 from 90 from 10 to 50 to 50 3rd inner PP 26 100 0 inner adhesive 2.5 barrier OPP/AlOx or 16 OPP/Siox or EVOH outer adhesive 2.5 3rd outer PP 26 100 0 2nd outer PP + additive 123 from 90 from 10 to 50 to 50 1st outer PP 26 100 0

The semi-rigid film according to such an embodiment undergoes fracture by bending in one direction or the other and, if provided with weakening lines for the trigger of the fracture, on the inner face and/or on the outer face, the depth of these weakening lines is such as not to affect the barrier layer.

Example 6

According to a further embodiment (FIG. 7, Table 6), a semi-rigid film 2 comprises, from the inner face 4 towards the outer face 6, a first inner layer 2 i bearing the inner face 4, a second inner layer 2 ii, a third inner layer 2 iii, an inner binder layer 21 i, a barrier layer 2 o, an outer binder layer 21 e and a first outer layer 2 e, bearing the outer face 6.

According to such an embodiment, the first inner layer 2 i is made of polypropylene, the second inner layer 2 ii of admixed polypropylene, the third inner layer 2 iii of polypropylene, the inner binding layer 21 i is an adhesive, the barrier layer 2 o of EVOH or OPP/AlOx or OPP/SiOx, the outer binder layer 21 e is an adhesive and the first outer layer 2 e is in BOPP (Biaxially-Oriented-Polypropylene).

TABLE 6 Layer Composition Thickness % PP % COC 1st Inner PP 60 100 0 2nd inner PP + additive 180 from 90 from 10 to 50 to 50 3rd inner PP 60 100 0 inner binder 2.5 barrier Opp/AlOx or 16 OPP/SiOx or EVOH outer binder 2.5 1st outer BOPP 50

According to such an embodiment, the barrier layer is coupled by means of an adhesive to an outer layer of bi-oriented plastic material, for example a BOPP, so as to be protected from scratches and impacts.

In the variant with a weakening line on the inner face, such a weakening line preferably has a depth such as to affect at most the third inner layer, without affecting the barrier layer.

In the variant with a weakening line on the outer face, such a weakening line preferably has a depth such as to affect only the first outer layer, without affecting the barrier layer.

Further Embodiments

According to further embodiments, the package is shaped so as to take a particular shape, for example a stylized bottle. In such a case, there is a narrow-width region which forms a neck, and the fracture is triggered in such a region.

Innovatively, the package described above meets the field needs, as the bending of the package causes a fracture which allows the product to outflow, and overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks, since the package is substantially monomaterial and therefore easily disposable.

Advantageously, moreover, the package described above is suitable for selective disposal, since it can be separated by means of the usual separation processes, and in particular by floating in water.

It is apparent that those skilled in the art, in order to meet contingent needs, may make changes to the package described above, all contained in the appended claims. 

1. A disposable package with break opening for dispensing a liquid, dense or semi-dense product, the disposable package comprising a semi-rigid film comprising an inner face and an opposite outer face; and a flexible film sealingly applied to the inner face of the semi-rigid film so as to create a volume for containing the liquid, dense or semi-dense product, wherein the semi-rigid film comprises at least one layer in an admixed material, wherein: said admixed material comprises a base polymer and an additive, wherein the base polymer is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) and the additive is selected from the group consisting of cyclic olefin copolymers (COCs), a mineral filler, and a nucleating agent; and the flexible film comprises at least one layer comprising said base polymer, so that the disposable package is monomaterial.
 2. The disposable package of claim 1, wherein a total amount of the base polymer in the disposable package is ≥80% by weight.
 3. The disposable package of claim 1, wherein said disposable package is floating in water.
 4. The disposable package of claim 3, wherein material and thickness of each layer composing the semi-rigid film and the flexible film are defined to obtain a relative density to water <1.
 5. The disposable package of claim 1, wherein the outer face of the semi-rigid film is free of weakening lines.
 6. The disposable package of claim 1, wherein the outer face of the semi-rigid film is provided with at least one weakening line to trigger a fracture.
 7. The disposable package of claim 1, wherein the inner face of the semi-rigid film is free of weakening lines.
 8. The disposable package of claim 1, wherein the inner face of the semi-rigid film is provided with at least one weakening line to trigger a fracture.
 9. The disposable package of claim 1, wherein the semi-rigid film is coextruded.
 10. The disposable package of claim 1, wherein the semi-rigid film is laminated.
 11. The disposable package of claim 1, wherein the semi-rigid film comprises at least one barrier layer in a barrier material, wherein said barrier material is selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), aluminum oxide (AlOx), silicon oxide (SiOx), oriented polypropylene/aluminum oxide (OPP/AlOx), and OPP/SiOx.
 12. The disposable package of claim 11, wherein the outer face of the semi-rigid film is provided with at least one weakening line to trigger a fracture, and wherein the at least one weakening line has a depth not affecting the at least one barrier layer.
 13. The disposable package of claim 11, wherein the inner face of the semi-rigid film is provided with at least one weakening line to trigger a fracture, and wherein the at least one weakening line has a depth not affecting the at least one barrier layer.
 14. The disposable package of claim 1, wherein said mineral filler is talc or calcium carbonate. 